Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFP) is a frequent cause of anterior knee pain in sportspeople, especially those playing some sport that involves high-impact and rapid changes of direction and frequent lower-limb loading such as in cricket. The stress of patella is augmented by the activities and results in pain and functional performance decline. Strategies of rehabilitation which minimize the stress on the knee joints and maximizes strength, power and endurance are required. Elliptical training offers a low-impact aerobic alternative with negligible patellofemoral loading whereas cadence training highlights a controlled movement frequency and ideal movement patterns which may alleviate stress on the joints and increase neuromuscular coordination. To compare the effects of cadence training versus elliptical training on pain, power, and endurance among cricketers with patellofemoral pain syndrome. It was a randomized clinical trial involving 48 cricketers aged between 18 35 years with positive patellofemoral compression test and at least 2 3 years of playing experience. The individuals were randomly divided into two groups (n = 24 each) and Group A was allocated to the cadence training and Group B to elliptical training. The sessions were conducted over six weeks with each session taking 45 minutes three times a week. The pre- and post-intervention measures were Vertical Jump Test (power), Wall Sit Test (endurance), and Numeric Pain Rating Scale. The paired, Wilcoxon, Mann Whitney and independent t tests were used to analyze the data and compare the within and between-group differences.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
48
Cadence Training program was administered to Group A in a six-week period to enhance power, endurance, and knee stability among cricketers who had the patella femoral pain syndrome. Each session lasted 45 minutes, with a 5-minute warm-up of dynamic stretches to the lower body. The next thing was electrotherapy of 10 minutes to manage pain. The primary exercise was cadence training, which was to be gradually changed into moderate and then high-intensity training throughout the weeks, with the main aim being to keep the cadence steady at the station to improve the performance. Bodyweight squats, lunges were included as strength exercises, with repetitions progressing every week (10 to 20). At the end of every session, there was a 5 minutes cool-down of static stretching to enhance flexibility and aid in recovery
Group B had a structured Elliptical Training program during the six weeks, which started with a 5-minute warm-up with dynamic stretches. The primary exercise was the elliptical intervals with the first weeks being steady-state cardio workouts and the second weeks using high-resistance intervals to develop power and endurance. This group also did bodyweight squats and lunges which were regularly done with body weight every week with repetitions of 10 to 20. At the end of every session, there was a 5 minute period of cool-down of static stretching which helped bring about recovery and flexibility
Numeric Pain Rating Scale
Numeric Pain Rating Scale (For Pain) The measure uses an eleven point numerical scale with a 0 meaning no pain, and a 10, which means pain as bad as you can imagine or worst pain imaginable.
Time frame: 6 WEEKS
VERTICAL JUMP TEST
A Vertical Jump Test (VJT) was used to determine power in the lower body. The participant measures their standing reach height and then leaps as high as possible using a jump mat or measuring tape and takes a record of the jump height. Two or three jumps are usually taken and the best result is taken to analyze it.
Time frame: 6 WEEKS
WALL SIT TEST FOR ENDURANCE
The Wall Sit Test (For Endurance) In the Wall Sit Test, the participants will be requested to sit with their knees bent against a wall in a 90-degree angle as long as they can. This is a functional endurance test which assesses the endurance of lower body muscles that are the quadriceps, hamstrings and the gluteal muscles.
Time frame: 6 WEEKS
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